One of the most intense debates in Michigan throughout my lifespan has been “What is Up North?” Everyone has their own thoughts and theories about the dividing line of the North. Some believe it to be where I-75 and US 127 meet. Some believe it’s Gaylord or Traverse City. Heck, even some lunatics believe it’s just the Upper Peninsula. Luckily, the answer is simple, and one specific Michigan retail casino helps set the boundary.
Wherever “ Upwards North” begins in The state of michigan
A lot of you believe you know the answer, but many of you are wrong.
It’s been sitting right in front of your eyes this whole time, but you’ve chosen to ignore it.
Back in my college days, now 20-some years ago, I attended Central Michigan University (Fire Up Chips!).
The keyword there being “Central.” Central Michigan University is located in Mount Pleasant. It is called Central Michigan University for a reason. That reason is because it is the central location of the mitten. Dead center, bullseye. Students tell us that when you have a central point, it divides a shape into a top half and bottom half.
This means that anything north of Mt. Pleasant is technically “Up North.” It’s simple math.
Soaring Achievement Casino & Resort begins Northern The state of michigan casinos
Located in Mount Pleasant is the state’s largest retail casino, Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort.
It’s the perfect landmark to officially begin just where “Up North” starts.
I know in the previous segment I mentioned Mount Pleasant being the center of the Lower Peninsula, and that is true. However, Soaring Eagle is on the northern edge of the city, so it qualifies.
To be fair, Soaring Eagle Slot Palace is across the street, but just a little south, so I can concede that the Slot Palace is below the cutoff line if it pleases the court.
Conveniently located near the US-127 highway, Soaring Eagle welcomes its guests to the North and happily points them on their way.
Consider it a welcoming gateway to the North. With its vast array of slot machines and table games (over 4,500), its dining options, regular schedule of concerts, and beautiful golf courses within earshot, Mount Pleasant serves as the introduction to what lies ahead.
Altogether, the state has 17 of its 21 retail casinos located in the “North.”
Upper Lower Peninsula casinos throughout Michigan
If we limit the ventures in the North below Mackinac Bridge, there are seven total casinos to consider.
Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort: Mount Pleasant
Saganing Eagles Landing Casino & Hotel: Standish
Little River Casino Resort: Manistee
Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel: Williamsburg
Leelanau Sands Casino & Lodge: Peshawbestown
Odawa Casino: Petoskey
Odawa Casino: Mackinaw City
Some of you out there may believe that Soaring Eagle, Saganing Eagles Landing, and Little River don’t make the cut for “Up North” because they are below the 127-75 merge. You’d be wrong.
Uppr Peninsula Internet casinos in The state of michigan
The Mackinac Bridge may as well serve as the Wall from Game of Thrones. Anything north of the bridge is truly getting to another level of Upper Michigan. Life is a little different beyond that point.
Still, Winterfell was south of The Wall, and it carried the motto of “The North Remembers.”
But I’ll stop driving home my exact point that the Upper Peninsula is not the beginning of “Up North” in Michigan. I’m just rubbing it in now.
What the U.P. is, is the home to the most complete casinos in the state. A total of 11 are located in the northernmost part of Michigan. Each location is surrounded by beaches of the Great Lakes and nature trails filled with beautiful sights this time of year.
Here’s a rundown of all the casino offerings in the Upper Peninsula.
Kewadin Casino: Hessel
Kewadin Casino: Sault Ste. Marie
Kewadin Casino: St Ignace
Bay Mills Resort & Casino: Brimley
Kewadin Casino: Manistique
Kewadin Casino: Christmas
Island Resort & Casino: Harris
Ojibwa Casino: Marquette
Ojibwa Casino: Baraga
Northern Waters Casino Resort: Watersmeet
So, if you’re looking to head “Up North” this summer, now you know exactly what that means: Mount Pleasant or bust!
Drew Ellis is the Lead Writer of PlayMichigan, the number one source for online gambling news in Michigan. A lifelong resident of the state, Ellis has been working in various forms of media since 1998, including over a decade in the sports betting industry before transitioning to US casino markets in 2020
